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Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Operating Environment
Volcanic Ash Awareness
Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Operating Environment
Volcanic Ash Awareness
I
Introduction
Flying through an ash cloud should be avoided by all means due to the extreme hazard
for the aircraft. Experience has shown that damage can occur to aircraft surfaces,
windshields and powerplants. Aircraft ventilation, hydraulic, electronic and air data
systems, can also be contaminated.
Partial or total engine power loss events caused by volcanic ash ingestion, while not
frequent, are major safety concerns. Simultaneous power loss in all engines has
occurred, where the crew succeeded in restarting the engines, after application of
operational procedures.
As weather radar is not effective in detecting volcanic ash clouds, crews must be
informed by other means of the potential or effective presence of ash clouds on air
routes.
The aim of this Flight Operational Briefing Note is to provide information about volcanic
ash effects on aircraft, and operational guidelines, in order to help preventing a volcanic
ash cloud encounter.
II
Background Information
II.1 Statistical Data
The Pacific region represents one of the biggest concentration of volcanoes in
the world, with over 100 active volcanoes (See Figure 1).
Active volcanoes are capable of sending volcanic ash up to altitudes greater than FL300
after explosive eruptions. Encounters affecting aircraft performance have occurred
2 400 NM from the ash source and up to 72 hours after an eruption.
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Figure 1
Active volcanoes in Pacific area
Over 80 aircraft have reported to have flown into volcanic ash cloud between
1980 and 2000, with consequences ranging from increased wear of engines to
simultaneous power loss in all engines.
Alert messages (volcanic ash SIGMET) are issued by a Meteorological Watch Office
(MWO) for its area of responsibility. Nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) have
been designated by international organizations to provide an expert advice to MWO
regarding the location and expected movement of volcanic ash clouds (see Figure 2).
(Credit: Alaska Aviation Weather Unit )
Figure 2
Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers area of responsibility
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Volcanic Ash Awareness
II.2 Volcanic Ash Effects on Aircraft
Components Abrasion
Volcanic ash are highly abrasive particles that may damage aircraft components,
particularly forward facing surface of external parts and engine components. They are
made of sharp rock fragments that will easily erode plastic, metal and even glass
pieces.
In service events show that aircraft may suffer from extensive damage after volcanic
ash encounter. In some cases, all the following parts were removed and replaced, after
they were sand blasted:
•
Windshields
•
Forward cabin windows
•
Navigation and landing lights cover
•
Wing, stabilizer and fin leading edges
•
Engine nose cowls and thrust reversers
•
All pitot and static probes.
Engine Performance Deterioration
Ingestion of volcanic ash by engines may cause serious deterioration of engine
performance due to erosion of moving parts and/or partial or complete blocking of fuel
nozzles.
Volcanic ash contains particles, whose melting point is below engine internal
temperature. In-flight, these particles will immediately melt if they go through
an engine. Going through the turbine, the melted materials are rapidly cooled down,
stick on the turbine vanes, and disturb the flow of high-pressure combustion gases.
This disorder of the flow may stall the engine, in worst cases.
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Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Abrasive particles can
erode compressor blades
edges, reducing
compressor performance
Glass particles will melt
in the combustion
chamber, if high thrust
rating is used
Operating Environment
Volcanic Ash Awareness
Melted material will
cool down in the
turbine and deposit on
the turbine vanes
Figure 3
Effect of Volcanic Ash on Engine
Bleed, Air Data and Electronic Systems Contamination
Volcanic ash is made of very fine particles (down to 1 micron) that can easily penetrate
all but the most tightly sealed enclosures. It may carry high static charge that makes it
difficult to remove from electronic components.
Ash deposit easily absorbs water and can cause arcing, short circuits and intermittent
failures of electronic components.
Dense ash deposit can clog bleed system filters and may lead to total bleed loss, with
associated loss of cabin pressurization. Pitot and static systems may also become
obstructed by the dust.
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Volcanic Ash Awareness
(Photo Credit: NASA)
Figure 4
Cleveland volcano, Alaska 23 May 2006
III
Factors Involved in Volcanic Ash Cloud Encounter
The following factors have an influence on volcanic ash detection in flight and on
the consequences of volcanic ash encounter.
III.1 Detection
Night and IMC flights are more favorable to ash cloud encounter, as dust clouds cannot
be detected by airborne weather radars (see Flight Operations Briefing Note Optimum
Use of the Weather Radar).
Low concentration of volcanic ash may not be detected by the crew.
Presence of the following elements can help recognize a volcanic ash cloud encounter:
•
Acrid odor similar to electrical smoke
•
Rapid onset of engine problems
•
St. Elmo’s fire
•
Bright white/orange glow appearing in the engine inlets
•
Dust and smell in the cockpit
•
Outside darkness
•
Airspeed fluctuation
•
Landing lights casting sharp, distinct, shadows.
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Volcanic Ash Awareness
III.2 Consequences
Recent (within hours of eruption) volcanic clouds contain concentration of ash that can
cause complete loss of engine power within one minute.
Engines operating at high thrust setting are more prone to suffer from ash deposit
buildup in the turbine chamber, as internal engine temperature may exceed volcanicglass material melting point.
In service events show that even low concentration of volcanic ash can cause expensive
damage.
IV
Prevention Strategies and Operational Recommendations
Prevention strategies and lines-of-defense should be developed to address the risk of
volcanic ahs encounter.
IV.1 Flight Crew Awareness
The following communication links can be used to obtain timely up-dated information
on the volcano eruptive activity:
Volcanic Watch Function
The Volcanic Watch Function consists in collecting, compilling, processing and up-dating
detailed information regarding the active and pre-eruptive volcanoes likely to affect
the company area of operation.
This function can be assigned to the following departments, as applicable :
•
Flight Operations
•
Flight Safety Office.
So as to assess the volcanic threat for each company route the following information
sources and communication links can be used:
•
Air Information Service (AIS), for active NOTAM's
•
Meteorologial Watch Offices, Airport Offices and Regional Area Forecast Centers for
active SIGMET's
•
On-site Aviation Authorities for additional information, such as data and maps
related to the ash cloud observed and forecasted extension
•
International organisations such as ICAO, IATA, IFALPA
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Flight Operations Briefing Notes
•
Inter-airlines agreements
•
Company outside stations.
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Volcanic Ash Awareness
The Volcanic Watch Function provides synthetized and up-dated information to
all operational departments (Flight Operations, Dispatch, Outside Stations, ...) as
follows:
•
Map(s) of active volcanoes and hazard areas
•
Relevant data to be included in the Pre-departure Area Briefing and Route Forecast
•
Specific procedures for en-route information up-dating (e.g. HF company frequency,
ACARS, en route FIS and ATC).
Flight Crews Pre-flight Briefing and Documentation
All flight crews, operating a flight to/from/through an area likely to be affected by
volcanic activity, should be provided with the following lnformation and documents:
On a systematic basis
•
Map(s) of active volcanoes and hazards area
•
ICAO special air-report of volcanic activity form (model VAR).
As dictated by current volcanic eruptive activity:
•
Last active NOTAM's,
•
Last active SIGMET's
•
Data or map(s) reflecting the observed ash cloud location, extension and/or
trajectory forecast
•
Upper wind analysis and forecast at selected flight levels
•
Satellite images.
En-route Information Up-dating
The activity of an erupting volcano usually features series of eruptions sometimes
separated by only a few hours. En-route updating of the pre-flight briefing information
is therefore of paramount importance to minimize the potential for volcanic ash cloud
encounter.
The following communication links can be used to obtain timely up-dated information
on the volcano eruptive activity:
•
Company FLIGHT WATCH frequency
•
ACARS
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Flight Operations Briefing Notes
•
VOLMET broadcasts (SIGMETs)
•
FLIGHT lnformation Service (SIGMET's).
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Volcanic Ash Awareness
Detailed update should be sollicitated and obtained regarding the following aspects:
•
Notification of new eruption(s)
•
Location, height, extension and forecasted trajectory of volcanic ash cloud.
•
Notification of airspace restrictions (closure of air routes, activation of contingency
routes).
(Photo Credit: NASA)
Figure 5
Etna, Sicilia
Flight Crew Training
So as to build-up a flight crew mind-set regarding the volcanic ash threat, volcanic ash
awareness should be addressed as part of the flight crew initial and recurrent training,
as follows:
•
Understanding volcanic ash and volcanic ash clouds, as any other weather systems,
and their threat to jet aircraft operation
•
Highlighting the published procedures related to volcanic ash cloud avoidance,
recognition of encounter and encounter recovery
•
Placing a particular attention, during the simulator session related to the ALL
ENGINE FLAME OUT procedure, to the slow engine acceleration characteristics to be
expected upon engine restart after volcanic ash ingestion
•
Stressing the instrumental contribution of flight crew air reports and the use of
the ICAO special air-report of volcanic activity form (model VAR).
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IV.2 Operational Recommendations
Flight crew operational procedures are published in respective aircraft manufacturers’
documentation. Nevertheless, the following actions have been identified as being
typical recommendations in case of volcanic ash encounter.
On Ground
Operation from or to airports contaminated with volcanic ash should be avoided,
if possible. Should volcanic ash exposure be unavoidable, the following
recommendations and procedures should be applied:
•
Whenever an aircraft is planned to stay over at an airport contaminated with
volcanic ash, engine inlet covers as well as other protective covers and plugs shoud
be installed
•
Have the aircraft cleaned before departure
−
•
Ash layer may contaminate the lubricated parts, penetrate the seals or enter
the engines gas path, air conditioning system, air data probes and other aircraft
orifices.
Dry crank the engines
−
Before starting the engines, ventilate them by dry cranking at maximum
motoring speed for two minutes.
•
Do not use windshied wipers for ash dust removal.
•
Restrict ground use of APU to engine starts
−
Do not use APU for air conditioning and electrical power supply. Use external
pneumatic supply for starting the engines, if it is available.
•
Keep bleed valves closed for taxiing
•
Taxi with minimum thrust
−
Advance the levers smoothly to the minimum required for breakaway. Avoid
making sharp or high-speed turns. All engines taxi should be preferred,
to minimize thrust level on each engine.
•
Allow ash and dust (if present) to settle on runway before starting the takeoff roll
•
Use the rolling takeoff technique if possible
•
Consider the runway as wet (for dry ash) or contaminated with slush (wet ash) for
takeoff/landing performance calculation
−
Braking efficiency may be degraded by the layer of ash on the runway.
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Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Volcanic Ash Awareness
In Flight
If a volcanic eruption is reported while in flight, the flight should remain well clear of
the affected area and, if possible stay on the upwind side of the volcanic dust (typically
20 NM upwind of the erupting volcano).
Should the volcanic ash
recommendations apply:
•
following
general
High thrust settings increase the risk of glass particles melting and associated
ash deposit buildup in the turbine chamber. Thrust should therefore be
decreased, if conditions permit.
Don the crew oxygen masks (100%)
•
Report to the ATC
−
Any observation of volcanic activity or any encounter with a volcanic ash cloud
should be reported by immediate radio transmission or/and by filling the ICAO
special air-report of volcanic activity form (model VAR).
Increase bleed demand (wing and engine anti-ice ON)
−
Increasing the bleed demand aims at increasing the fuel/air ratio in the engine
combustor to limit the possibility of an engine surge and/or flameout.
Start the APU
−
•
the
Pilots should exit the cloud as quick as possible. Generally, a 180o turn will result
in the fastest cloud exit, due to the possible extension of such clouds over
hundreds of nautical miles
•
•
unavoidable,
Decrease the thrust
−
•
be
Make a 180o turn
−
•
encounter
The APU GEN will be available to supply the electrical network in case of engine
flameout.
Monitor engine parameters and airspeed indications
−
The crew should be aware that volcanic ash may render airspeed indications
unreliable.
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Flight Operations Briefing Notes
V
Volcanic Ash Awareness
Summary of Key Points
It is important to note the following key points:
VI
•
Airlines should provide exhaustive and updated information to crews flying in
regions likely to be affected by volcano activity
•
Flight crews should sollicitate updating of the preflight information when en route
•
Flight Crews should report to the ATC any observation of volcanic activity or any
encounter with a volcanic ash cloud
•
If encounter with volcanic ash cannot be avoided, the flight crew should
immediately applied the procedure recommended by the aircraft manufacturers’
documentation.
Associated Flight Operations Briefing Notes
The following Flight Operations Briefing Note can also be reviewed:
•
VII
VIII
IX
Optimum use of the weather radar
Regulatory References
•
ICAO Doc 9766 - Handbook On The International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW)
Operational Procedures And Contact List (2nd Edition)
•
ICAO PANS ATM (Doc 4444) Appendix I – ICAO Special Air-report of Volcanic
Activity Form (model VAR)
Airbus References
•
A300/A310/A300-600 Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) Bulletins - Volcanic Ash
Advisory
•
A300/A310/A300-600 FCOM - Procedures and Techniques - Inclement Weather
Operation - Operation in Areas Contaminated by Volcanic Ash
•
A320/A330/A340 FCOM Operations in Volcanic Ash
•
A320/A330/A340 Flight Crew Training Manual (FCTM) - Supplementary Information
- Adverse Weather - Volcanic Ash
Supplementary
Techniques
Additional Reading Materials / Website References
•
Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC)
(http://aawu.arh.noaa.gov/vaac.php)
•
Volcano World
(http://volcano.und.edu/)
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-
Adverse
Weather
-
Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Operating Environment
Volcanic Ash Awareness
This FOBN is part of a set of Flight Operations Briefing Notes that provide an overview of the applicable standards,
flying techniques and best practices, operational and human factors, suggested company prevention strategies and personal
lines-of-defense related to major threats and hazards to flight operations safety.
This FOBN is intended to enhance the reader's flight safety awareness but it shall not supersede the applicable regulations
and the Airbus or airline's operational documentation; should any deviation appear between this FOBN and the Airbus or
airline’s AFM / (M)MEL / FCOM / QRH / FCTM, the latter shall prevail at all times.
In the interest of aviation safety, this FOBN may be reproduced in whole or in part - in all media - or translated; any use of
this FOBN shall not modify its contents or alter an excerpt from its original context. Any commercial use is strictly excluded.
All uses shall credit Airbus.
Airbus shall have no liability or responsibility for the use of this FOBN, the correctness of the duplication, adaptation or
translation and for the updating and revision of any duplicated version.
Airbus Customer Services
Flight Operations Support and Services
1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte - 31707 BLAGNAC CEDEX FRANCE
FOBN Reference : FLT_OPS – OPS_ENV – SEQ 06 – REV 01 – SEP. 2006
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